Christianity, Politics, and the Election

Christians, We Have One Mission

There is much to discuss, and this single article will not be enough to capture everything. I want to shoot my shot early this election season to help us in the upcoming 2024 political fervor, which of course is ‘the most important election of our time.’ This is not definitive, nor is it gospel but I do think I am offering a guiding principle we can abide by to make the world a better place. I welcome the conversation, critique, and feedback.

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Hello Christian,

I want to offer one guiding principle that we can abide by to make the world a better place. I know the controversy begins with that proclamation, ‘make the world a better place.’ We all have different ideas on what ‘better’ should look like and how best to get there. In reality, if we actually talked to one another instead of listening to polarized, echo-chambers we would realize we all want extremely similar things. You will not arrive at such conclusions until you’ve pushed further past cheap talking points and beyond the political posturing for genuine human interaction expressed through deep desires and motivations.

I do believe there are evil people with power and money, who selfishly want to influence for their personal gain. However, when you post on social media or put the political sign in your yard, you nor I are talking to those people. We are talking average, every-day common people, also known as our neighbor. And we, as neighbors, want the same thing – human flourishing.

The Clear Christian Mission

For the Christian, we are even clearer and united on what we want from this world (which even includes the outcome of this election) – for Jesus Christ to receive glory. The cool part about that is we don’t have to guess how Jesus wants such glory; He tells us plainly. He even prays for this (us) in His final moments, “I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.” (Jn 17:22–23 emphasis mine)

In every moment, circumstance, and activity, we want the world to know of God’s love as demonstrated in His relationship with Jesus. At a minimum, given the time we have, we can share in that goal together – for the world to know God’s love more fully, deeply, and intimately. This corresponds well with Jesus’ suggestion warning teaching command, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13:34–35)

This is such a radical command that its worth a lifetime of our internalization, devotion, and actualization. The minimum we can do with this command is to consider how we should best speak and act in this upcoming election season so that others see our love, upon which they will simply by mere observation intuitively know that such love is of divine origin. The love between our interpersonal relationships, will provoke people to perceive the divine love between a Father and Son. God will be glorified. So, your mission, should you choose to accept it and you must accept it, is to glorify God by displaying a radical gospel love for one another.

We have our mission, glorify God. We have our means radical gospel love, also known as making disciples. The manner in which we accomplish the mission is multifaceted. I want to outline one principle that should bode well for us if we are to radically love our neighbor in this season. Again, I welcome the conversation for where you would add nuance, disagree, and/or offer enthusiastic praise.

Christianity’s Macro and Micro Considerations

Be ready to zoom in and zoom out in this election cycle. Think about Christ’s love on a macro level and micro level. Let this perspective guide your conversations and interactions.

On a macro level, “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God” (Rom 13:1). At the end of the day, God will put in charge whom He wants, and that person will fulfill His purposes. As God used Pharaoh for His purposes in the Exodus to set His people free to worship Him more authentically, He can use Biden, Trump, Kennedy, or whomever.

God’s purpose and power are not so fragile that one man, one vote, nor one outcome will thwart His promises upon the earth. That is not to say that you cannot give your efforts for the candidate you believe best represents the whole of the Christian mission – glorifying God through loving one another. However, that does mean that our allegiance is never ultimately to a candidate but to Christ.

We serve a God who did not leave heaven, come to the earth as a child, to be served but to serve and give his life for others (Mk 10:45). Very quickly, our macro-understanding of God’s authority on earth leads us to zoom in for micro-affirmations of fellow image bearers of God. Our obligation is then to Jesus and His purposes, which includes those He served; those of whom all elected officials, appointed kings, or dictators serve as well. As we zoom back in, our actions should be motivated and driven by our service and our sacrifice for others.

Of note, at the end of such a demanding command “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God” (Rom 13:1), further down the chapter we also see the scriptures zoom back in from the macro to command, “Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.” (emphasis mine, Rom 13:8–10)

Implications of Christian Theology & Politics

We should see individuals uniquely and wonderfully made by God. We seek to know their hopes, motivations, and dreams before trying to win a debate, compel their obedience, or require their capitulation. As a Christian, your frustration and reaction to someone says more about who you understand God to be and your relationship with Him than it does about the person(s) you are in discourse with. We confuse winning or fulfillment with someone who agrees with everything we say and stand for, whether they truly know the love of God or not. Oftentimes, we confuse a person’s acceptance of our will as evidence or not for their Christian faith. What hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance, to now believe that a person does not know God nor can do good unless they have a certain level of understanding, vote a certain way, wear certain clothes, or speak in certain terms.

Mindset Shift to Purposefulness

It is a complete mindset shift to allow Christ’s rule in the words we speak and decisions we make. Winning is showing someone the love of Christ, especially in an exchange with someone we vehemently disagree, “You have heard that it was said, love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt 5:43-44). It means approaching conversations knowing that God has a purpose for the world and the election. This is why the Christian never despairs and is always hopeful. Not blindingly optimistic or overly positive, but confidently sure in the security of being a child of God. Conversely, God also has a purpose for the interaction you are having with persons regarding the election, whether you agree with them or not. He may be using the elections as the means for you to show the love of God and glorify Him as opposed to your political party.

Think about it for a moment. The election may be an opportunity to secure eternal victories rather personal satisfaction. If Christ wanted to help shape you (not others, specifically you Christian) to be more Christlike, would He not surround you with people who agree AND disagree with you? How far can you grown and exercise Christianity’s ‘one anothers’ with people who look like you, think like you, vote like you, and agree with you? You are not being courageous and Christlike because you love those who love you back. Christ has intentionally placed people in your life to sharpen you and conform you to His image. And vice versa, Christ has placed persons on your path because He is more interested in their relationship with Him, and you have the opportunity to shed light on that. Hopefully, we are not prioritizing their understanding of our political position when God wants us to highlight His Kingdom come.

The Mindset Shift in Action

Thus, when the tensions rise and you want to lash out on social media, think about the macro and micro implications of Jesus’ authority in the situation. That may mean not responding. That may mean changing your desired outcome for the conversation. That may mean changing your desired outcome for the results of the election! By keeping a macro and micro focus in mind, we can shift our mindset to glorifying God over and above our personal and political preferences.

Notice, I am not telling you who to vote for, how you should discern who to vote for, nor am I even trying to persuade you to vote. Although I do think it is your civic and Christian duty to participate in the election process. Likewise, I do think you should use the Bible to inform your vote; however, the main purpose of this article is to seek common ground upon our higher calling and implore you to let that take precedence over your opinions, judgments, and convictions.

You are not ‘suffering for the gospel’ because you provoked and withstood social media vitriol.  You are not glorifying God when you’ve disrupted the entire family’s cohesion, so much so that gathering is now impossible. You are not loving because you forced folks to choose between your version of conservatism or progressivism, all supposedly ‘in Jesus’ name.’ Your wisdom and love are shown when you keep the macro and micro focus in mind. That may mean not responding. That may mean changing your desired outcome for the conversation. When the tensions rise and you want to lash out on social media, think about the macro and micro implications of Jesus’ authority in the situation. That may mean changing your desired outcome for the results of the election!  

The Christian Hope Against Temptations & Fears

There will be several fears and temptations that the true enemy wants to distract you with so that you are not glorifying God and loving others which I have summed up as pride and control. Pride has much to do with our identity – who we perceive ourselves to be, how we want others to view us. Control has much to do with our relationship – our (in)ability to cope with life’s circumstances or our (in)ability to deal with ourselves. These are two things we must face head on if we are to glorify God.

As a Christian, you don’t need to win the election, you do not need someone else’s approval, you do not need to self-protect, you do not need to fear! You have Christ. You’ve won. You are approved. You are protected. You are hopeful. You are fearless. Nothing in the interaction you have with another person can take this away. Nothing in the interactions you have is more important than both person’s relationship with God. Release your emotional attachment from another person’s existence and behavior. Your reaction says more about you than it does about their walk with God. God does not need you to come to His defense… He’s God! 

When we are glorifying, honoring, and praising Jesus, our intellect, emotion, and will, will turn to our neighbor in an act of love. Let these commands be our guiding principle this election cycle and, in our lives, forever more.

1. How do your Christian values influence the way you engage in political discussions and make decisions during the upcoming election cycle?

2. In what practical ways do you believe you can promote unity and understanding in a politically diverse environment, reflecting the teachings of Christ?

3. What are some suggestions you have, especially in times of heightened polarization, to prioritize your higher calling as precedent over your political preferences?